Sony Confirms PSVR Support For The ‘PlayStation 5’

In an exclusive interview with Wired Magazine, PS4 systems architect and game designer Mark Cerny spilled the beans on Sony’s next generation of their immensely popular PlayStation console, in the process confirming support for the PlayStation VR headset.

During the interview, Cerny revealed that the yet-to-be-named console (most likely the PS5) will feature an eight-core processor from AMD’s Ryzen line, a Radeon Navi GPU capable of ray-tracing technology, 3D audio, and — for the first time — a high-speed SSD as opposed to a conventional mechanical hard drive.

Then, when pushed on the question of a next-gen PSVR headset to match the console, Cern replied, ”I won’t go into the details of our VR strategy today,” he says, “beyond saying that VR is very important to us and that the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.”

PSVR support aside, there’s no doubt the company has already begun plans for a new iteration of the headset that will take better advantage of the PS5’s raw power. Last month, it was discovered that Sony had filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office which hinted at some form of wireless functionality for PlayStation’s console VR platform.

Image Credit: Sony Playstation

Whether or not this technology would be utilized in a new device or the existing PSVR is unknown. All that is shared in the filing is that the technology would rely on a separate breakout box, which would connect to the headset wirelessly via a 60HGz signal when in close proximity, or a 5GHz as a back-up when further away.

Whatever the case may be, there’s no doubt that PSVR technology would benefit greatly from the power of the PS5. In the interview, Cerny claims the SSD technology they’re pursuing for the next console — which utilizes the new PCIe 4.0 standard — has a raw bandwidth higher than any SSD available for current PCs, resulting in significantly faster load times.

Image Credit: Sony Playstation

The use of AMD Ryzen graphics technology, which supports ray tracing, will also result in improved visuals and more realistic lighting.

Last month, it was confirmed the PSVR had sold a total of 4.2 million units since launch, an impressive number that has pretty much guaranteed the survival of the console VR headset. As we move ever closer to the next generation of console gaming, It’ll be interesting to see how the VR industry responds.